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May 10, 1999

COURT-MARTIAL ORDERED FOR MARINE WHO REFUSED VACCINE IN HAWAII

MARINE CORPS TIMES

A Marine stationed in Hawaii who refused the controversial anthrax vaccination now faces a court-martial.

Pfc. Roman Lezo, 20, is one of 14 Marines stationed in Hawaii who refused the vaccination. Lezo is the first of the group to face court-martial for refusing the vaccination.

Lezo was to be arraigned April 28, according to 2nd Lt. Angela Judge, a spokeswoman for Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, Hawaii.

He is charged with refusing to obey a direct order and dereliction of duty In an unrelated matter, Lezo also is charged with disrespect toward a non-commissioned officer.

At least one other Marine, Pfc. Stephen Lundbom, of Livermore, Calif., also faced court-martial recently. Lundbom's court-martial has been with-drawn, but his administrative discharge is still pending.

Judge said the remaining 13 Marines who refused the vaccination are receiving various administrative punishments, but said she could not comment on specific personnel matters.

Two additional Marines had initially refused the order to take the vaccine, but later changed their minds, Judge said.